Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 750mL

The 2012 growing season proved to be excellent from start to finish in Napa Valley. It was a warmer year than the prior three, beginning with cold, dry and sunny weather for the first few months. Bud break occurred during the first two weeks of April and both bloom and veraison took place earlier than 2010 and 2011. Phenomenal fruit set and perfect ripening weather in August, September and October resulted in superior fruit with exceptional quality. 

Grape Varietals:

75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes:

The 2012 Insignia has an inky dark hue and aromas of ripe blackberries, star anise, cigarbox, clove and sweet mocha notes. Richly opulent with velvety texture and supple tannins, this full-bodied offering envelops the palate in luscious, lingering black plum and violets along with layers of baking spices.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, “The flagship wine of the estate in reds is their Insignia, which has been one of the great Bordeaux blends made in California since the debut vintage in 1974... it’s a fabulous, classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of lead pencil shavings, incense, camphor, blackberry and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied, offering a multi-layered, textural, skyscraper-like mouthfeel, terrific purity, density and richness. This is a beauty to drink now and over the next 30 years. "

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast, "In this vintage, the producer's beloved blend is a commingling ofCabernet SauvignonMerlotPetit VerdotMalbec andCabernet Franc. Two years in new French oak give it a youthful, tannic nature around smoky black cherry, burly leather and full-bodied richness and concentration. Further time in the bottle should coax out the blackberry and cherry; cellar through 2027."